As the winter solstice had just passed, this coastal city had a damp and cold air that was peculiar in southern China at night. The church was a short distance from the subway station. Following a short stretch of the busy main road, I entered an industrial park and arrived in front of an office building that didn't appear to be related to the church. Indeed, the church was in this office building.
"The King of Peace came into the world humbly... The baby is a majestic king. Jesus was born to bring love and hope.” The party kicked off with several chants of thanksgiving for Christmas under the direction of the worship team.
Security personnel were stationed at the entrance for order maintenance. Two more sisters greeted the visitors to the Christmas party that night at the door, dressed uniformly with the church staff emblem. When the guests walked in, they were greeted with a simple and loving "ping‘an (peace in Madarian)."
After the hymns, there was a self-monologue-style video introduction about who God is.
The following was a skit about Lucy, a money-obsessed girl who was used to being in relationships for money and repeatedly getting rid of partners to be married. Her "bestie" and her bestie's husband deceived Lucy, who yearned for wealth, good looks, and true love in a relationship, and deeply hurt her. Deep in pain and madness, she met a Christian. With the warm companionship and guidance of the truth, Lucy's life was turned around in the endless cycle of hurting others and being hurt, becoming a person willing to care for and serve others sincerely.
Subsequently, four gray-haired aunts and old nannies in red costumes made a festive appearance. With the merry beating of gongs and drums, they festively explained the meaning of Christmas during their three-and-a-half-sentence performance.
Additionally, there was a musical "Listen Quietly," which started with a passionate dance. At the climax, the leader suddenly fell to the ground, and others froze on the stage. Here came the actors in white at the rear of the stage, singing the hymn "Listen Quietly" and dancing with sign language to the beat. The dancers gradually awoke and joined the sign language dance.
During the musical “Coming Home,” actors sang and danced about the changes in their lives. Even after believing in the Lord, their life as Christians was not always easy. Due to human weakness and limitations, some had fallen into debt crises, marital problems, anxiety, and temptations. With the support of spiritual partners, they have all been able to break free from bonds and gain true freedom.
Concluding the joyful evening party, the pastor welcomed the new visitors with Christmas gifts and greeted all the guests with warm wishes.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
刚过完冬至，入夜的沿海城市，带有南方特有的湿冷气息。下地铁后，需要步行一段路才能到教会。走完一小段熙熙攘攘的主干道，就转入了一个园区，再拐几次弯，来到一栋和教堂这个词感觉不太沾边的写字楼前，没错，教会就在这栋写字楼上。
入口处，有保安大哥们在帮助维持秩序，另有2位姊妹穿着统一，佩戴教会同工标志的牌子，在门口迎接当晚参加圣诞晚会的客人，入门时听到了简洁而温馨的问候：“平安。”
“平安君王，谦卑来到世上…小小婴孩是尊贵的君王，耶稣降生带来爱和盼望”，在敬拜团带领下，娓娓道来的赞美声中，圣诞晚会在几首圣诞主题的赞美敬拜中拉开了序幕。
赞美诗歌之后，是一个关于上帝是谁的自我独白式的视频介绍。
接下来是一个小品，讲的是一个拜金女Lucy，在以恋爱为由获得别人的财物并多次甩掉想与之结婚的对象之后，渴望高富帅真爱的她身陷“闺蜜”伙同闺蜜丈夫对其做了个杀猪盘。尝到被深深伤害的痛苦后，疯癫中的她遇到了基督徒，在温暖地陪伴和真理的引领中，Lucy在伤害别人和被伤害的死循环中生命得到了翻转，她成为了愿意真诚去关心和事奉别人的人。
四个身着红色表演服的头发花白的阿姨、奶奶们喜庆登场了，她们带来了锣鼓队表演的东北特色表演三句半，在敲锣打鼓中，用她们的方式喜庆地讲述圣诞的意义。
此外，现场的节目还包括歌舞剧《轻轻听》，开始是舞者们一阵雄壮激昂的舞蹈，达到高潮后随着主领者的忽然倒地，别的舞者也在台上僵住了。此刻，舞台靠后的白衣演员们随着手语律动，唱起了诗歌《轻轻听》，舞者们开始苏醒，并加入了手语律动的行列。
歌舞剧《回家》中，演员们各自通过歌舞讲述了自己生命的转变。即便是信主了，但基督徒的生活不是一帆风顺的。因着人的软弱和有限，有陷入债务危机、婚姻危机、身陷焦虑的、陷入试探诱惑的，借着属灵伙伴的扶持，走出重重捆绑，生命得着自由。
最后，牧者欢迎了到场的新人朋友们，并给他们派送了礼物。
载歌载舞庆圣诞
As the winter solstice had just passed, this coastal city had a damp and cold air that was peculiar in southern China at night. The church was a short distance from the subway station. Following a short stretch of the busy main road, I entered an industrial park and arrived in front of an office building that didn't appear to be related to the church. Indeed, the church was in this office building.
"The King of Peace came into the world humbly... The baby is a majestic king. Jesus was born to bring love and hope.” The party kicked off with several chants of thanksgiving for Christmas under the direction of the worship team.
Security personnel were stationed at the entrance for order maintenance. Two more sisters greeted the visitors to the Christmas party that night at the door, dressed uniformly with the church staff emblem. When the guests walked in, they were greeted with a simple and loving "ping‘an (peace in Madarian)."
After the hymns, there was a self-monologue-style video introduction about who God is.
The following was a skit about Lucy, a money-obsessed girl who was used to being in relationships for money and repeatedly getting rid of partners to be married. Her "bestie" and her bestie's husband deceived Lucy, who yearned for wealth, good looks, and true love in a relationship, and deeply hurt her. Deep in pain and madness, she met a Christian. With the warm companionship and guidance of the truth, Lucy's life was turned around in the endless cycle of hurting others and being hurt, becoming a person willing to care for and serve others sincerely.
Subsequently, four gray-haired aunts and old nannies in red costumes made a festive appearance. With the merry beating of gongs and drums, they festively explained the meaning of Christmas during their three-and-a-half-sentence performance.
Additionally, there was a musical "Listen Quietly," which started with a passionate dance. At the climax, the leader suddenly fell to the ground, and others froze on the stage. Here came the actors in white at the rear of the stage, singing the hymn "Listen Quietly" and dancing with sign language to the beat. The dancers gradually awoke and joined the sign language dance.
During the musical “Coming Home,” actors sang and danced about the changes in their lives. Even after believing in the Lord, their life as Christians was not always easy. Due to human weakness and limitations, some had fallen into debt crises, marital problems, anxiety, and temptations. With the support of spiritual partners, they have all been able to break free from bonds and gain true freedom.
Concluding the joyful evening party, the pastor welcomed the new visitors with Christmas gifts and greeted all the guests with warm wishes.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
Joyful Songs and Dances to Celebrate Christmas
